It still seems possible that the MPS was shutting down prematurely due to some quirky interaction between the MPS protection circuitry and the 4-ohm speakers, ie that Randy was not really getting full advantage from his 300W per channel.

It seemed pretty clear that the MPS was able to put out more clean power than the Denon, ie the Denon seemed to start clipping at lower SPLs than the MPS, but the MPS also seemed to shut down at levels where the Denon seemed to be playing cleanly -- at least that's what I gathered from the 11,000 or so posts on the subject

11,002 it is. I have this $200 credit from Emotiva that I won from this contest, see. Emotiva's free shipping offer is about to expire, and since I never win anything, I've got the urge to test drive one of their products. But, after reading all this stuff, I wonder if spending $300 on an LPA-1 or $500 on an RPA-1 would be a mistake? I guess this kind of sounds like a poll.

I can say that I have not read anything negative about the LPA-1. I still say that it's worth every penny at $500, and for $300 it's a downright steal. I'd say that you can't go wrong. My LPA is bi-amping my M80s and has no problem driving them at 110+db without shutdown issues. Yeah, it gets pretty warm at those levels, but it doesn't shut down.

Just for giggles, I connected my M80's back up to my AVR, and tried to do some critical listening. I was rewarded with muddy, heavy bass and screechy, sibilant, highs. The LPA sounds quite a bit different, and really seems to calm and smooth everything out. Controlled and distinct bass, and significantly smoother highs.

I know that some will scream and yell that all amps sound the same, but they don't.

Quote:11,002 it is. I have this $200 credit from Emotiva that I won from this contest, see. Emotiva's free shipping offer is about to expire, and since I never win anything, I've got the urge to test drive one of their products. But, after reading all this stuff, I wonder if spending $300 on an LPA-1 or $500 on an RPA-1 would be a mistake? I guess this kind of sounds like a poll.